Rotary brush dishwasher



3, 1955 c. H. OSGOOD ROTARY BRUSH DISHWASHER Filed May 4, 1950 United States Patent ROTARY BRUSH DISHWASHER Clarence H. Osgood, Stamford, Conn.

Application May 4, 1950, Serial No. 159,929

7 Claims. (CI. -74) This invention relates to dishwashers of the rotary brush type for cleansing dishware such as table glasses, tumblers and other types of wide mouthed containers having varying contours as well as such flatware as table plates and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the type referred to, in which a pair of rotary brushes are associated and operated in such a manner as to adapt it to efliciently scrub both the interior and external surfaces of tableware of varying contours rapidly and in a manner that will be safe for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide in such an apparatus a .design and assembly of the parts which permit the parts of the apparatus itself, requiring repeated cleansing, to be disassembled to be cleaned, and thereby maintained in a sanitary condition, after the apparatus has been in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide in this type of apparatus an improved construction of the operating connections for driving the rotary brush elements whereby these elements are operated in the association and at relative speeds for eflectively and thoroughly cleaning ware of a very wide variation in contour.

A still further object of the invention is to design and associate the parts of the apparatus in order to permit the brush elements to be operated while submerged in a cleansing liquid while at the same time the parts of the apparatus that would be damaged by the liquid cleansing fluid will be prevented from contact with the body of liquid in which the ware is undergoing the cleansing operation.

Finally, an object of the invention is to provide a compact efficient apparatus for the purposes indicated, which may be economically manufactured, and which may be maintained in operative condition by providing for easy replacement of parts, that may be required, as a result of wear or breakage.

These objectives, as well as other advantages, will more fully appear from the following detailed description of a selected embodiment of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation in which certain of parts are shown in section and in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to that of Fig. 1, taken at right angles thereto, and viewing the apparatus from the front;

Fig. 3 is a section viewing parts of the apparatus from the line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section through the gear casing taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3 to more clearly illustrate the driving connections for the rotary brush shafts.

As illustrated, the construction of the apparatus in which the present invention is embodied includes a motor housing H which is composed of a lower cylindrical section 10 and a dome shaped cap section 11, the lower edges of which overhang the edges of the lower section to provide an annular inlet vent opening as in- "ice dicated at 12. This construction provides for the inlet 0; air for cooling the motor enclosed in'the motor housing during the operation of the apparatus and tends to exclude moisture entering the housing. The motor is not shown in the drawing, but it will be understood that it is suitably mounted in the housing H and is sosupported and arranged as to drive a motor shaft 13 which extends through the bottom wall of the motor housing H. It is desirable in the construction of the device that the opening between the shaft 13 and the edges of the opening be sealed by a suitable washer in order to prevent moisture from directly entering the motor housing.

Since it is intended that the apparatus be mounted on a sink or other container for the cleansing liquid in such a manner that the brush elements during operation will be submerged therein, means for supporting the apparatus in order to provide for this relation to the cleansing fluid are provided. As illustrated, the supporting means include a tubular cross member 15 which is connected to the underface of a flange 16 which is integral with a vertically disposed motor shaft casing 17. A pair of supporting members are associated with the member 15 and comprise for the members :of each pair a horizontal rod 18 which is telescoped into opposite ends of the member 15 and an arm integral with the outer ends of each of said rods 18 which are formed from a curved section 21 and a straight section 22, which extends at right angles to the rod 18. Theextremities of each of the supporting arms are provided with a vacuum cup foot 23, which are designed to seat on the drain board of a basin or sink adjacent to rear corners, so that the brushes will be submerged in ithe liquid in the-container below the drain board.

In order to adapt the apparatus to be supported-on drain boards of sinks or basins of different widths the members 18 may be protracted and retracted from the ends of the member 15, and locked in adjusted position by jam nuts 24.

The improved mounting and driving means for the rotary brushes are constructed in such a. manner .as to cause synchronized operation of the brushes. The consn uetion provides for the removal and assembly of parts of the apparatus that are subjected to repeated submersion in the body of the cleansing liquid so that between the operation of the apparatus for cleaning glassware the parts may be readily removed for sterilization or cleaning.

The driving connections also provide for a smoothand positive rotation of the brushes by including a flexibility in the drive from the motors to the brush spindles.

The improved construction for mounting the rotary brushes and the means for operating them includes an extension 25 of the motor shaft 13, which extension .is attached to the motor shaft by a readily releasable coupling 26 in order that the extension of themotor shaft and the associated parts therewith maybe readily remo /ed and replaced between operations of the apparatus or whenever it is desirable for any purpose todis'assemble these operative parts thereof.

The coupling 26 is designed to give flexibility between the motor shaft 13 and the extension 25. 'It is in the ".fOIm of a flexible sleeve of neoprene or similar material. It is important to avoid rigidity in thedrive for the brushes because if the drive for the brushes causes an uneven rotation there is a likelihood that glassware placed over the brushes will break in the hands of the operator causing injury, unless provision to absorb the shock isprovided. It is a distinct advantage, therefore, that the driv connections include theflexible connection.

Furthermore, as will later appear, the coupling should present a smooth exterior surface.

The lower section of the shaft member 25 is journalle in a bearing 27 supported in a horizontal wall 28 formed at the base of the housing 17. The shaft member extends through the gear case generally indicated at 29 and the lower end of the shaft is supported in a bearing 29a carried on the inner face of the bottom wall of said case.

The gear case 29 is formed as an extension of the housing 17 and includes a front section having a downwardly and outwardly inclined wall 30 which is turned inwardly forming the front portion 31 of the bottom wall of the case. A removable back section of the case is generally of dish-shaped form as illustrated in the drawing and indicated at 32. The back member of the gear case is removably connected with the front section thereof by fastening means such as screws 33.

A pair of drive shafts 35 and 36 for the rotary brushes are mounted in the casing 29 by the provision of a pair of bearing sockets 38 disposed parallel to each other and formed as a part of the bottom wall of the member 32.

A second pair of bearing supports, as indicated at 40, are formed on the inner face of the inclined front wall 30 of the gear casing. Journals for the pair of rotary brush shafts, indicated at 41, are mounted in the bearing supports, the arrangement being such that the journal bearings for the rotary brush shafts support the shafts in an alignment which inclines upwardly at an acute angle in respect of the axis of the motor shaft, thus providing for the support and operation of the rotary brushes in parallel upwardly inclined positions.

In order to drive the rotary brush shafts 35 and 36 for the effective operation of the rotary brushes, a gear train operated by the motor shaft is mounted in the gear casing and connected with the lower or inner ends of each of said shafts 35 and 36.

The gear train comprises a worm gear attached to 3 the motor shaft extension 25 near its lower end and above but approximate to the lower bearing 27 of the shaft extension 25. This position of the worm gear near the lower bearing support permits the gear to be rotated without substantial vibration and in accurate axial alignment with the motor shaft. The shaft 35 which is the drive shaft for the larger diameter rotary brush, carries a helical gear 46 which meshes with the worm gear 45 at one side of the axis thereof and the shaft 36 carries a second helical gear 47 at the opposite side of the axis of the worm gear and is also in mesh therewith. The worm gear 45 is actually hidden in Fig. 4 and is therefore shown in dotted lines. The gear 47 is of a substantially less diameter than the gear 46 so that it is operated because of a substantially less number of teeth that mesh with the gear 45 at a relatively higher speed than the gear 46. Therefore, a retarded speed of rotation of the brush of the larger diameter will result.

It will be understood that the gear train is such that the shafts 35 and 36 therefore are driven in opposite directions and at relatively different speeds.

It is impractical in an apparatus of this type to oil lubricate the gear train or shaft bearings because the lubricant would contaminate the wash liquid. It is, therefore, necessary to lubricate the drive connections by circulation of the wash water through the gear case. The member 17 is open at the back, and the joint between the members of the gear casing 29 provides for the restricted flow of fluid within the case. The importance of having a smooth exterior contour of the coupling 26 is to prevent engagement with the sleeve of a garment worn by the operator, or of other articles such as a wash cloth or other piece of fabric that may accidentally be in the sink or basin. As the motor shaft operates at a high speed it is a matter of safety to prevent such engagement with the operators clothing, and a protection to the apparatus to avoid breakage of the parts of the apparatus if a piece of fabric may be caught around the motor shaft.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a highly eflicient apparatus and one that is safe in operation has been provided.

In operating a washer of this type hollow ware is placed over the larger diameter brush and usually permitted to revolve slowly in the hand of the operator. The larger brush scrubs the interior of the ware because of the impingement of the bristles against the surface. The faster running smaller brush scrubs the exterior surface. If flat ware is to be cleaned it is pressed between the rotating brushes.

The brush 52 serves to cleanse the bottom surface of hollow ware, so that all surfaces of the article are contacted by the brush bristles arranged as herein disclosed.

The rotary brushes are connected, respectively, with the shafts 35 and 36. These brushes include, as illustrated, a bristle supporting spindle 50 having a spiral groove in its periphery and adapted to constitute a mounting for the base that supports a spiral series of bristles 51, the outer edges of which define a cylindrical spiral series of spaced bristle tufts. The length of the bristles of the rotary brush that is mounted on the shaft 35 provides a brush unit, the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the secondary rotary brush, in order to provide the operative results herein described.

In addition to the bristles 51, the larger one of the rotary brushes has a tufted brush member 52 seated in the base 53 that is removably supported in the end of the spindle 50 and in which the bristles are arranged generally in the form of an inverted cone.

The inner end of the spindle 50 has a disconnectable coupling member that coordinates with a coupling member on the end of the shaft 35, thereby forming the disconnectable coupling as indicated at 54. A suitable construction for the attachment of the brush spindles at their respective driving shaft is of the bayonet type, which functions during operation for secure attachment, but which permits ready removal of the brush members.

Inasmuch as the construction of the support and attachment of the less diameter rotary brush indicated at 55 is substantially the same as that described in respect of the larger brush, similar parts are indicated by similar reference numbers, and repetition will be avoided, except to say that the less diameter brush member does not require the attachment of an end tuft of bristles such as the construction of the brush 52.

It will be noted from the illustration that the axis of the brush spindles are parallel and support the brushes in an upwardly inclined position so that there is an intermesh of the bristles in inoperative position in order that there will be a tensioned impingement of the bristles against the interior and exterior surfaces when the apparatus is operated for the cleansing operation of the tableware. ,This arrangement provides for a scrubbing action against the entire surface of the individual article of ware regardless of its particular contour.

'What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a power unit including a driven shaft formed in two separate coaxial sections and connected together by a sleeve of flexible material for torsional twisting of said separate sections, a pair of brush shafts, a bearing member supporting said brush shafts at an angle to said driven shaft and in parallel relationship, a brush spindle connected to each of said brush shafts at one end and free at the other end, a cylindrical brush carried by each of said brush spindles at their free ends, and driving connections between said driven and brush shafts comprising a worm gear on said driven shaft, a gear on each of said brush shafts in constant mesh with said worm gear and on opposite sides of the axis thereof.

2. In an apparatus of the kind described, a power unit including a driven shaft comprised of an upper and lower section in substantial axial alignment, a flexible connection between said sections, means for supporting the apparatus on a fiat horizontal surface to maintain the driven shaft in a vertical position, a pair of brush shafts disposed at an acute angle to said driven shaft, a bearing member to support said brush shafts in parallel relationship, a brush spindle having a releasable connection with each of said brush shafts, a cylindrical brush carried by each of said brush spindles, said brushes having overlapping peripheries and being of different diameters, and a gear train between the driven shaft and the brush shafts for driving said brush shafts at a relatively different speed of rotation and in opposite directions, said gear train including a worm gear and two gears of different sizes, said gears being associated with said worm gear on opposite sides thereof and connected separately to said brush shafts.

3. In a rotary brush dishwasher assembly, comprising a motor housing connected to the upper end of a shaft housing, said shaft housing depending therefrom; brush means rotatably mounted adjacent the bottom end of the shaft housing; the improvement comprising means adjacent the motor housing and at the upper end of said shaft housing for supporting the assembly on a flat surface adjacent the bottom of said motor housing including a rigidly fastened cross member and an arm member adjacent each end of the cross member and adjustable axially relative thereto.

4. In a rotary brush dishwasher assembly, comprising a motor housing connected to the upper end of a shaft housing, said shaft housing depending therefrom, brush means rotatably mounted adjacent the bottom end of the shaft housing; the improvement comprising means adjacent the motor housing and at the upper end of said shaft housing for supporting the assembly on a flat surface adjacent the bottom of said motor housing including a rigidly fastened cross member and an arm member adjacent each end of the cross member and adjustable axially relative thereto, the arm members containing means for releasably fastening them to a flat surface.

5. In a rotary brush dishwasher assembly, comprising a motor housing connected to the upper end of a shaft housing, said shaft housing depending therefrom; brush means rotatably mounted adjacent the bottom end of the shaft housing; the improvement comprising means adjacent the motor housing and at the upper end of said shaft housing for supporting the assembly on a flat surface adjacent the bottom of said motor housing including a tubular member rigidly fastened to the shaft housing below the motor housing, an L-shaped arm member adjacent each end of the tubular member and containing a rod-like portion telescoping into the tubular member, and means for locking the arm members in selected positions relative to the cross member.

6. A rotary brush dishwasher assembly, comprising a motor housing having a shaft housing depending therefrom, the shaft housing having closed front and side walls with the back open; a gear case of imperforate walls totally enclosed on the sides and bottom provided at the bottom end of the shaft housing, said gear case being open at the top for free circulation of water through said shaft housing; and brush means rotatably mounted in the gear case and extending forwardly therefrom, said brush means comprising a plurality of brushes mounted on shafts operatively connected with gears in said gear case, said shafts being journaled within openings in the exterior of said gear case.

7. A rotary brush dishwasher assembly, comprising a motor housing having a shaft housing depending therefrom, the shaft housing having closed front and side walls with the back open; a gear case of imperforate Walls totally enclosed on the sides and bottom provided at the bottom end of the shaft housing; a two part shaft extending through the shaft housing from the motor housing to the gear case, the two parts being in substantial axial alignment; a flexible sleeve having a smooth outer surface removably connecting together the two parts of the shaft and allowing torsional twisting of said parts; two brushes of different diameters extending forwardly and upwardly from the gear case, said brushes being connected to brush shafts having a driving connection with said two part shaft through gears in said gear case; and means adjacent the motor housing for supporting the assembly on a flat surface so that the shaft housing can extend freely downwardly into a basin disposed below the flat surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 889,662 Coulter June 2, 1908 1,332,080 Staples Feb. 24, 1920 1,332,240 Ward Mar. 2, 1920 1,403,545 Eibye Ian. 17, 1922 1,509,830 Fischedick et a1 Sept. 30, 1924 2,024,812 Bachelis Dec. 17, 1935 2,081,636 Minors May 25, 1937 2,127,311 Schroeder Aug. 16, 1938 2,165,814 Redmond July 11, 1939 2,180,408 Fielding Nov. 21, 1939 2,230,350 Fielding Feb. 4, 1941 2,456,000 Irling Dec. 14, 1948 2,457,572 Leonard Dec. 28, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,231 Great Britain of 1881 OTHER REFERENCES An article entiled Overload Device on page 272 of Scientific American, May 1941. 

